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2025 Seattle mayoral election

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2025 Seattle mayoral election

The 2025 Seattle mayoral election was held on November 4, 2025, with a primary election that was held on August 5, 2025, to elect the mayor of Seattle. Incumbent Mayor Bruce Harrell ran for election to a second term and was challenged by community organizer Katie Wilson, who placed first against Harrell in an upset during the August nonpartisan primary. The two advanced to the general election from a field that included six other candidates. The vote was extremely close. The Seattle Times and other outlets called the election for Wilson over a week after election day, with Harrell conceding to Wilson on November 13. Wilson ultimately won by a margin of 0.73%, the closest mayoral election in Seattle by percentage since 1906.

Infobox

Reporting
mw- 99.6%as of November 18, 3:14 PM PST
Candidate
Katie Wilson
Popular vote
138,931
Percentage
50.20%
Turnout
55%

Tables

· Primary election › Polling
Change Research (D)
Change Research (D)
Poll source
Change Research (D)
Date(s)administered
July 23–25, 2025
Samplesize
651 (LV)
Marginof error
± 4.1%
Bruce Harrell
29%
Joe Mallahan
3%
Katie Wilson
27%
Other
1%
Undecided
24%
33%
33%
Poll source
33%
Date(s)administered
3%
Samplesize
31%
Marginof error
3%
Bruce Harrell
27%
Poll source
Date(s)administered
Samplesize
Marginof error
Bruce Harrell
Joe Mallahan
Katie Wilson
Other
Undecided
Change Research (D)
July 23–25, 2025
651 (LV)
± 4.1%
29%
3%
27%
1%
24%
33%
3%
31%
3%
27%
Nonpartisan primary results[57] · Primary election › Results
Katie Wilson
Katie Wilson
Candidate
Katie Wilson
Candidate
98,562
Votes
50.75
Bruce Harrell (incumbent)
Bruce Harrell (incumbent)
Candidate
Bruce Harrell (incumbent)
Candidate
80,043
Votes
41.21
Joe Mallahan
Joe Mallahan
Candidate
Joe Mallahan
Candidate
8,538
Votes
4.40
Ry Armstrong
Ry Armstrong
Candidate
Ry Armstrong
Candidate
2,120
Votes
1.09
Clinton Bliss
Clinton Bliss
Candidate
Clinton Bliss
Candidate
2,046
Votes
1.05
Isaiah Willoughby
Isaiah Willoughby
Candidate
Isaiah Willoughby
Candidate
817
Votes
0.42
Joe Molloy
Joe Molloy
Candidate
Joe Molloy
Candidate
799
Votes
0.41
Thaddeus Whelan
Thaddeus Whelan
Candidate
Thaddeus Whelan
Candidate
716
Votes
0.37
Write-in
Write-in
Candidate
Write-in
Candidate
588
Votes
0.30
Total votes
Total votes
Candidate
Total votes
Candidate
198,071
Votes
100.00
Candidate
Votes
%
Katie Wilson
98,562
50.75
Bruce Harrell (incumbent)
80,043
41.21
Joe Mallahan
8,538
4.40
Ry Armstrong
2,120
1.09
Clinton Bliss
2,046
1.05
Isaiah Willoughby
817
0.42
Joe Molloy
799
0.41
Thaddeus Whelan
716
0.37
Write-in
588
0.30
Total votes
198,071
100.00
· General election › Polling
Change Research (D)
Change Research (D)
Poll source
Change Research (D)
Date(s)administered
October 19–23, 2025
Samplesize
615 (LV)
Marginof error
± 4.0%
Bruce Harrell
36%
Katie Wilson
44%
Other
–
Undecided
20%
40%
40%
Poll source
40%
Date(s)administered
45%
Samplesize
4%
Marginof error
11%
DHM Research
DHM Research
Poll source
DHM Research
Date(s)administered
October 6–13, 2025
Samplesize
400 (LV)
Marginof error
± 4.0%
Bruce Harrell
38%
Katie Wilson
42%
Other
–
Undecided
20%
600 (RV)
600 (RV)
Poll source
600 (RV)
Date(s)administered
34%
Samplesize
46%
Marginof error
–
Bruce Harrell
20%
Change Research (D)
Change Research (D)
Poll source
Change Research (D)
Date(s)administered
July 23–25, 2025
Samplesize
651 (LV)
Marginof error
± 4.1%
Bruce Harrell
37%
Katie Wilson
40%
Other
–
Undecided
24%
Change Research (D)
Change Research (D)
Poll source
Change Research (D)
Date(s)administered
May 10–14, 2025
Samplesize
522 (LV)
Marginof error
± 4.4%
Bruce Harrell
25%
Katie Wilson
18%
Other
–
Undecided
56%
Poll source
Date(s)administered
Samplesize
Marginof error
Bruce Harrell
Katie Wilson
Other
Undecided
Change Research (D)
October 19–23, 2025
615 (LV)
± 4.0%
36%
44%
–
20%
40%
45%
4%
11%
DHM Research
October 6–13, 2025
400 (LV)
± 4.0%
38%
42%
–
20%
600 (RV)
34%
46%
–
20%
Change Research (D)
July 23–25, 2025
651 (LV)
± 4.1%
37%
40%
–
24%
Change Research (D)
May 10–14, 2025
522 (LV)
± 4.4%
25%
18%
–
56%
General election results[2][81] · General election › Results
Katie Wilson
Katie Wilson
Candidate
Katie Wilson
Candidate
138,931
Votes
50.20
Bruce Harrell (incumbent)
Bruce Harrell (incumbent)
Candidate
Bruce Harrell (incumbent)
Candidate
136,920
Votes
49.47
Write-in
Write-in
Candidate
Write-in
Candidate
911
Votes
0.33
Total votes
Total votes
Candidate
Total votes
Candidate
280,375
Votes
100.00
Candidate
Votes
%
Katie Wilson
138,931
50.20
Bruce Harrell (incumbent)
136,920
49.47
Write-in
911
0.33
Total votes
280,375
100.00

References

  1. Key:A – all adultsRV – registered votersLV – likely votersV – unclear
  2. Bliss with 1%; Armstrong, Molloy, Whelan, and Willoughby with 0%
  3. With voters who lean towards a given candidate
  4. "Would not vote" with 2%; Bliss with 1%; Armstrong, Molloy, Whelan, and Willoughby with 0%
  5. "Would not vote" with 4%
  6. This poll was sponsored by the Northwest Progressive Institute
  7. This poll was sponsored by The Stranger
  8. KOMO
    https://komonews.com/news/local/as-final-ballots-are-counted-into-system-wilson-maintains-mayoral-lead-over-harrell-seattle-mayor-winner-loser-challenge-voting-socialism-democrat-homeless-housing-cost-of-living-environment-addction-key-issues
  9. "Election Results: November 04, 2025 - Official Final Election Results"
    https://election-results-01.kingcounty.gov/results.pdf
  10. The Seattle Times
    https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/katie-wilson-takes-lead-over-bruce-harrell-in-seattle-mayor-race/
  11. Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission
    https://web6.seattle.gov/ethics/elections/faqs.aspx?cycle=2025
  12. The Seattle Times
    https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/2025-seattle-mayoral-election-results-katie-wilson-and-bruce-harrell-leading/
  13. The Seattle Times
    https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/katie-wilson-elected-seattles-next-mayor/
  14. www.kuow.org
    https://www.kuow.org/stories/bruce-harrell-concedes-seattle-mayoral-race-to-katie-wilson
  15. Axios
    https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/11/13/seattle-mayor-race-results-history-wilson-harrell-closest
  16. KUOW
    https://thankyou.kuow.org/stories/seattle-mayor-bruce-harrell-is-running-for-re-election-in-2025
  17. KCTS-TV
    https://www.cascadepbs.org/politics/2025/03/activist-katie-wilson-enters-seattle-mayoral-race-against-harrell
  18. The Stranger
    https://www.thestranger.com/news/2024/12/24/79839693/mayor-harrell-seems-unbeatable-because-his-old-political-opponents-arent-trying-to-beat-him
  19. KCTS-TV
    https://www.cascadepbs.org/politics/2025/01/seattleites-will-vote-competing-measures-fund-social-housing
  20. KING-TV
    https://www.king5.com/article/news/politics/elections/seattle-housing-school-levies-approved-february-special-election/281-fc4c10b3-6428-409d-a17b-bd8b9223fc23
  21. The Stranger
    https://www.thestranger.com/katie-wilson/2025/02/14/79922035/seattle-voters-defied-big-money-and-chose-grassroots-power-with-prop-1a
  22. Axios
    https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/05/13/seattle-mayor-candidates-2025
  23. KUOW-FM
    https://www.kuow.org/stories/joe-mallahan-announces-new-mayoral-bid
  24. Capitol Hill Seattle Blog
    https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2025/05/these-27-people-want-to-run-seattle-plus-why-rachael-savage-is-now-running-for-city-council-not-mayor/
  25. King County Elections
    https://info.kingcounty.gov/kcelections/Vote/contests/who-has-filed.aspx
  26. Capitol Hill Seattle Blog
    https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2025/02/broadway-business-owner-enters-seattle-mayors-race-as-gasp-a-republican/
  27. The Seattle Times
    https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-mayor-bruce-harrell-seeking-reelection/
  28. KUOW-FM
    https://www.kuow.org/stories/running-for-seattle-mayor-from-tent-city-3
  29. The Seattle Times
    https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/progressive-organizer-joins-mayoral-race-against-harrell/
  30. KCPQ
    https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/seattle-mayor-candidates
  31. Real Change
    https://www.realchangenews.org/news/2025/07/17/seattle-mayor
  32. Victory Fund
    https://victoryfund.org/candidate/armstrong-ry/
  33. Team LPAC
    https://www.teamlpac.com/our-candidates/ry-armstrong
  34. National Women's Political Caucus of Washington
    https://www.nwpcwa.org/endorsements_2025
  35. Run for Something
    https://runforsomething.net/rfs-press/run-for-something-announces-51-new-endorsements-for-state-and-local-offices/
  36. KCTS-TV
    https://www.cascadepbs.org/elections-2025/2025/07/harrell-katie-wilson-in-close-competition-ahead-of-aug-5-primary/
  37. Seattle Gay News
    https://www.sgn.org/story/156085
  38. The Urbanist
    https://www.theurbanist.org/2025/06/29/op-ed-katie-wilson-is-the-zohran-mamdani-of-seattle/
  39. The Seattle Times
    https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-mayor-bruce-harrell-seeking-reelection/
  40. PubliCola
    https://publicola.com/2025/07/17/election-fizz-city-employees-back-wilson-for-mayor-harrell-slams-wilsons-defund-movement-and-more/
  41. The Spokesman-Review
    https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/jul/17/seattle-city-workers-union-backs-katie-wilson-for-/
  42. IBEW Local 77
    https://www.ibew77.org/s/Endorsement-List-with-Links_080725.pdf
  43. Teamsters Local 117
    https://www.teamsters117.org/endorsements_2025
  44. The Seattle Times
    https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/a-union-negotiation-is-helping-a-seattle-mayoral-candidate-who-labor-once-opposed/
  45. SEIU Local 6
    https://progressivevotersguide.com/washington/2025/primary/about/seiu6
  46. SEIU Local 775
    https://seiu775.org/2025endorsements/
  47. Seattle King County Realtors
    https://www.nwrealtor.com/endorsements/
  48. Seattle Medium
    https://seattlemedium.com/mayor-harrell-seattle-endorsement/
  49. The Seattle Times
    https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/the-seattle-times-editorial-board-recommends-bruce-harrell-for-seattle-mayor/
  50. King County Democrats
    https://www.kcdems.org/our-party/e/2025-endorsements/
  51. KING-TV
    https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/seattle-mayoral-candidate-katie-wilson-bruce-harrell/281-cd1b6af4-3820-4bbf-ada4-1245f42bd2f8
  52. KCPQ
    https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/who-katie-wilson
  53. American Federation of Teachers Washington
    https://aftwa.org/endorsements-and-elections/2025-primary-election-endorsements
  54. UAW Local 4121
    https://www.uaw4121.org/get-involved/working-groups/political-working-group/
  55. CAIR Action
    https://cairaction.org/washington/
  56. Gen-Z for Change
    https://x.com/genzforchange/status/1948158826647376141
  57. Sunrise
    https://www.instagram.com/p/DMT-Oz3vdiE/
  58. Working Families Party
    https://workingfamilies.org/candidates/
  59. Working Families Party
    https://www.instagram.com/p/DMf0IpGRnRm/
  60. The Daily of the University of Washington
    https://www.dailyuw.com/article/2025-seattle-and-king-county-primary-election-endorsements-20250801
  61. The Stranger
    https://www.thestranger.com/stranger-election-control-board/2025/07/02/80127708/the-stranger-endorses-katie-wilson-for-mayor
  62. 2025 Primary Election Endorsements
    https://www.theurbanist.org/2025/07/16/2025-primary-election-endorsements/
  63. Northwest Progressive Institute
    https://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2025/07/bruce-harrell-katie-wilson-each-poised-to-advance-to-general-election-in-seattles-2025-mayoral-contest-still-statistically-tied.html
  64. "Results"
    https://election-results-01.kingcounty.gov/results.pdf
  65. Seattle Times
    https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/pete-buttigieg-backs-harrell-for-seattle-mayor
  66. The Cascadia Advocate
    https://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2025/10/u-s-representative-pramila-jayapal-king-county-councilmember-teresa-mosqueda-endorse-katie-wilson-for-mayor-of-seattle.html
  67. Twitter
    https://x.com/PramilaJayapal/status/1974225567722446937
  68. The Stranger
    https://www.thestranger.com/news/2025/08/14/80196035/bruxit-port-commissioner-hasegawa-first-harrell-endorser-to-back-wilson-after-the-primary
  69. KOMO News
    https://komonews.com/news/local/seattle-mayoral-candidates-secure-key-union-endorsements-ahead-of-election
  70. MLK King County Labor Council
    https://www.mlklabor.org/news/mlk-labor-endorses-girmay-zahilay-and-makes-dual-endorsement-for-seattle-mayor/
  71. The Downballot
    https://www.the-downballot.com/p/morning-digest-how-a-one-time-long
  72. KUOW
    https://m.kuow.org/stories/seattle-mayor-s-race-goes-into-overdrive-as-election-day-2025-nears
  73. The Stranger
    https://www.thestranger.com/news/2025/08/26/80213849/washingtons-largest-private-sector-labor-union-backs-katie-wilson
  74. The Stranger
    https://www.thestranger.com/news/2025/08/26/80213849/washingtons-largest-private-sector-labor-union-backs-katie-wilson
  75. FairVote Washington
    https://fairvotewa.org/candidate-recognition-2024/
  76. KUOW
    https://www.kuow.org/stories/time-running-out-on-this-august-primary-what-s-at-stake-in-seattle
  77. Planned Parenthood Action
    https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-alliance-advocates/press-releases/planned-parenthood-alliance-advocates-endorses-slate-of-washington-reproductive-rights-champions
  78. Northwest Progressive Institute
    https://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2025/10/a-plurality-of-seattle-voters-favor-katie-wilson-in-the-citys-2025-mayoral-race-while-55-oppose-bruce-harrells-reelection.html
  79. The Stranger
    https://www.thestranger.com/stranger-polling/2025/10/23/80294921/the-polling-is-in-seattle-wants-to-elect-progressives-this-fall
  80. Northwest Progressive Institute
    https://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2025/07/bruce-harrell-katie-wilson-each-poised-to-advance-to-general-election-in-seattles-2025-mayoral-contest-still-statistically-tied.html
  81. Northwest Progressive Institute
    https://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2025/05/katie-wilson-36-bruce-harrell-33-npis-may-2025-civic-heartbeat-poll-finds-statistical-tie-in-seattle-mayoral-race.html
  82. www.kuow.org
    https://www.kuow.org/stories/in-seattle-mayor-s-race-history-gives-katie-wilson-supporters-reason-to-hope
  83. Decision Desk HQ
    https://election-night.decisiondeskhq.com/date/2025-11-04/385189
  84. www.kuow.org
    https://www.kuow.org/stories/kuow-contractor-decision-desk-HQ-retracts-call-projecting-harrell-s-victory-in-mayor-s-race
  85. "'It's a coin flip.' Experts say Seattle mayor's race still too close to call"
    https://www.kuow.org/stories/it-s-a-coin-flip-experts-say-seattle-mayor-s-race-still-too-close-to-call
  86. The Seattle Times
    https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/katie-wilsons-lead-grows-in-race-for-seattle-mayor/
  87. The Stranger
    https://www.thestranger.com/news/2025/11/11/80320992/katie-wilson-is-likely-our-next-mayor
  88. KingCounty.gov
    https://cd.kingcounty.gov/en/dept/elections/results/2025/november-general
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